President Jacob Zuma has signed the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill into law, his office said on Monday.

The legislation notably re-opens the restitution claims process that closed at the end of 1998 and gives claimants five years – to June 30, 2019 – to lodge land claims.

Only some 80 000 land restitution claims were lodged by the 1998 deadline and it is estimated that there are up to five times as many valid cases that can be brought by victims of apartheid-era forced removals.

The legislation also regulates the appointment and service conditions of judges of the Land Claims Court.

Zuma also enacted the Property Valuation Bill.

"Among other things, the Property Valuation Act will provide for the establishment, functions and powers of the office of the valuer general; provide for the appointment and responsibilities of the valuer general; provide for the regulation of the valuation of property that has been identified for land reform, as well as property that has been identified for acquisition or disposal by a department," the presidency said in a statement.